Storage tank construction



Jun@ 13g, W332- Q. MYERS STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION Fim@ NOV. 22, 1929 Patented June 28, 1932 1, UNITED STATES TIoN or CALIFORNIA PATENT OFFICE.4

THoMAs G. MYERS, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNon To UNITED STATES ELEC- TRICAI. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or Los ANeELEs, CALIFORNIA'A coaronA-avSTORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION Application filed November 22, 1929. Serial No. 408,984.

My invention relates to a construction for storage-tanks for storing infiammable fluids', and relates particularly to a construction which provides for extinguishing a fire in the tank.

In storage-tanks for inflammable fluids a vent means must be provided for permitting l the tanks tobreathe; that is, for permitting the tanks to take in and exhaust air therefrom in order to compensate for the change in the relative volumes ofair and fiuid 1n the tank due to temperature-changesand due to an introduction or withdrawal-of fluid therefrom. In case an opening is made in the tank to allow for breathing, there is considerable fire hazard,particularly if the tank contains a highly inflammable fluid, such as naphtha, benzine, gasoline, etc.

Y It is an ob'ect of my'invention to Vprovide It is another object of my invention to proin a construction for storage-tanks for storing. inflammable fiuids, `a means to permit breathing of the tank, and means for quickvide in a construction for storage-tanks of the above class, a means Vfor eliminating the rolling action of a fire in the tank.

I find that the above objects can be accomv plished by providing a tank having a tightly fitting top in which a plurality/of small i' closely spaced openings is provided, the combined area of the openings being relatively small withrespeet to the area of the top.

Another object is to provide in a tank of the above class, a tightly fitting` top in which isprovided a plurality of small closely spaced vparent to those skilled in the holes, the combined area of which is'relatively small with respect to the area of the top.

It is also an objectrto secure a construction of this type byproviding a'tank having a tightly fitting top in whichis a screen coveredl opening, the area of which is relatively small with respect to the area of the top.

Another Objectis toprovide in a tank of the abo-ve class, an auxiliary means for introducing a fire-extinguishing fluid to the interior ofthe tank to extinguish a fire therein.

Other objects of my invention will be apart from the following description: .j

In the drawing,- f .f Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a storage-tank having the construction of my invention. Y

Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe tank shown .in Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a storage-tank having an alternative form of construction.

.Referring Vto the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and2, I show a cylindrical ,storage-tank 11 in which isv stored an inflammable fluid 12, the fluid being introduced or withdrawn from the tank 11 through a drain pipe 13. Around the top of the tank 11 is a perimetric trough 16 which is Welded. orr

otherwise secured tothe tank 11 and which contains a sealing fluid, such as water 17. Supported on the top of the vtank 11 isa circular top 20 having a perimetric flange 21V which extends downward into the water 17 and forms an air-tight seal around the edges of the top 20. Y

In the' center of the top 2O is a circular breather opening 24 which is materially smaller in area than the area of the top 20, but is large enough so that in case a fire occurs in the tank 11 the burned gases may pass therethrough quickly enough to prevent an excessive pressure of explosive violence from building up in the tank. Covering the .Y

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opening 24 is a fine-mesh wire screen 25 which is secured to the walls around the opening 24 by a circular attachment ring 28 which may be welded to the top 20 and to which the screen 25 may be. welded or otherwise secured. The screen 25 covering the opening 24 may be considered as providing a plurality of closely spaced openings through the top 20.

If a fire should start in the space above the combustible fluid, a rush of gas takes place outward through the opening. This rush of gas is burning when inside the tank but is extinguishedl upon passing through the interstices formed by the screen 25, and thus cannot endanger surrounding apparatus. Furthermore., this rising stream of gas apparently prevents the further entrance of air which might support combustion and, in any event, prevents the rolling action which is inevitably present when the vapors above a combustible fluid are burned. I have found that it is this rolling which distributes fresh combustion-supporting air or gas to the surface ofthe combustible fluid whereby combustion may continue. My invention thus not only prevents any spreading of the flames to adjacent apparatus but almost immediately extinguishes any lire withoutrmanual attention. i

The screen which I prefer to use has meshes of one-sixteenth or one-eighth of an inch, but screens of other mesh may be used as long as it does not pass a llame and yet allows free communication with the outside air. In certain instances the screen may be completely dispensed with and openings formed in the top 20, these openings being grouped closely together. I

As a matter of proportion I have found that good results are obtained in a tank four feet in diameter where the-size of the opening 24 is two and one-half-feet across, although it should be clear that this ratio may be varied over relatively large limits without destroying the utility of my combination. Furthermore, the shape of the screen and the position of this screen relative to the top 2O may be varied. A

In the drawing I have shown diametrically opposite pipes 30 directed into the tank as an added precaution, these'pipes supplying a suitable fire-extinguishing fluid. These 1 pipes are, however, not normally in use and are only used in emergencies as, for instance, when the fluid level is very low and'when the rush of gas might raise the top 20 to destroy the effectiveness of the combination in eX- tinguishing the fire.

In Fig. 3, I show a construction employed on very large tanks. In this case the tank 1l, is divided into a plurality of smaller tanks or storage spaces 40 by the use of baffles 41 which may be secured to the top 20 and which extend downward into the fluid 12. Each of the smaller tanks 40 thus formed is provided with an opening 42 similar in construction to the opening 24.

It will be noted that if the large tank were provided with a single opening in the top, the 1' Y ing, thus supporting combustion in the tank ll and setting up a rolling action. By dividing the tank ll into a plurality of smaller tanks 40, I am enabled to use correspondingly smaller `openings 42 in the top l2 and thus secure the advantage resulting from the use et a smaller opening.

The form of my invention, shown in Fig. 3, is alternative to .the preferred form in that the .tank ll is provided with an annular Hanger/48 around the upper portion of the walls thereof to which the top 20 is secured by rivets 50, the rivets being riveted sufficiently tight to prevent air leakage into the tank l1 at the joint thus formed. This prevents air from entering the tank eXcept at the opening, and thus has the same effect as the seal formed by the water 17.

I claim as my invention:

1. A construction for a storage-tank for storing inflammable fluids comprising: a storage-tank; a top on said tank; and baffles depending from said top dividing said storage-tank into storage spaces, there being a plurality of groups ofsmall closely spaced openings in said top, each of said groups of openings communicating with a storage space. i 2. A construction for a Storage-tank for storing inflammable fluids comprising a storage-tank; a top on Isaid storage-tank; and baflles depending from said top dividing said storage-tank intol storage spaces, there being a plurality of groups ofv small closely spaced openings in said top, each of said groups of openings communicating with a storage space; and lire extinguishing means communicating with each of said storage spaces.

3. A construction for a ,storage-tank for storing inflammable fluids comprising: a storage-tank; a top connected tosaid tank in sealed relationship therewith; and baffles depending from said top dividing said storagetank into` storage spaces, there being a plurality of groups of small closely spaced openings in said top, each of said groups of openings communicating with a storage space, the combined area of said groups of openings being substantially less than the area of said top.

4. A construction for a storage-tank for storing inflammable fluids comprising: a

storage-tank; a to connected to said storage-tank in air-tig t relationship therewith;

and bailles suspended from said to dividing said tank into storage spaces, sai top having a plurality of groups of small closely spaced openings formed therein, one each of said group of openings communicating with a respective storage space; and means for introducing a fire extinguishing fluid to said storage spaces.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 18th day of November, 1929.

THOMAS G. MYERS. 

